In an earlier study, we found a significant correlation
of −0.35 between shoulder pain as measured in this
study and QOL.1 This finding led us to hypothesize
that changes in pain may relate to changes in QOL as
well. Certainly, pain is one of those distressing experiences
that can diminish enjoyment, productivity, and
interpersonal relations enough to impact one’s QOL.
Such relationships between pain and QOL measures
have been observed by others. Latimer et al. 10 found
a significant relationship between bodily pain and a
measure of depression, which was reduced when the
pain was treated. However, to our knowledge no